Chtitha Djej (Algerian Spicy Chicken and Chickpea Stew)
Local name: شطيطحة دجاج
In short: Chicken and chickpeas simmered in a garlicky, spicy red tomato sauce with paprika and harissa, an Algerian home favorite for bread or rice. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 550 kcal
Chtitha is the name for a spicy, garlicky red sauce in Algerian cooking, used for chicken, lamb, meatballs and even potatoes. For chicken, the pieces simmer with chickpeas in a sauce of tomato, plenty of garlic, paprika and a spoonful of harissa until the oil rises and the sauce clings. It is eaten with crusty bread for scooping, or with plain rice or couscous.
Instructions
- Season the chicken with 1 tsp of the salt and 1/2 tsp of the pepper. Heat the oil in a large deep pan and brown the chicken in batches, about 4 minutes per side. Set it aside.
- Cook the onion in the same pan for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste, harissa, paprika, cumin and coriander and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour in the tomatoes and water and add the remaining salt and pepper. Return the chicken to the pan, bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
- Add the chickpeas, uncover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (74°C / 165°F) and the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon, with oil on top.
- Stir in the lemon juice and fresh coriander, taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve with bread or rice.
Tips
- For a milder chtitha, use 1 tsp harissa and remove the chicken skin. For more heat, add a sliced fresh chili with the garlic.
- For chtitha batata, replace the chicken with 800 g (1 3/4 lb) potatoes cut into chunks and simmer for about 25 minutes until tender.
Questions and answers
What does chtitha mean?
Chtitha is the name for a spicy, garlicky red sauce used in many Algerian dishes. You will see it with chicken, lamb, meatballs and potatoes.
Can I freeze chtitha djej?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently until steaming hot.
What do you serve with chtitha djej?
Crusty bread for scooping, plain white rice or couscous, and a simple tomato and cucumber salad.
How long does it take to make Chtitha Djej (Algerian Spicy Chicken and Chickpea Stew)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chtitha Djej (Algerian Spicy Chicken and Chickpea Stew)?
About 550 kcal per serving, with 45 g of protein, 24 g of carbohydrates and 31 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 550 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 45 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
